Aseptic thermometer-holder.



G; F. MYRE & J; P. HE BERT.

ASEPTIO THERMOMETER HOLDER. APPLICATION FILED APB.14, 191a.

Patented July 14, 1914.

ammo aim/ 1 n? Jj? Eden? TH E AORRIS PETERS 60., PHOT0-LITHO., WASHINGTON, D. c.

TATES PATENT CHARLES F. MYRE AND JOSEPH P. HEBERT, OIE CHIPPEWA FALLS, WISCONSIN.

AS'EPTIC THE\RMOMETER-HOIJDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 14:, 1914- Application filed April'lt, 1913.- Serial No.-'7 61,044:.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, GI-IAnLns- F. MYRE and JOSEPH P. Hnnnnr, citizens of the United States, residing at Chippewa Falls, in the county of Chippewa and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aseptic Thermometor-Holders, of which the following is a specification. 1

This invention relates to improvements in medical apparatus and more particularly to holders for clinical thermometers.

The object in view is the maintenance of the thermometer in an antiseptic condition.

With this and other detail objects in view, as will hereinafter in part become apparent and in part be stated, the invention comprises a container for an antiseptic, a receptacle for the thermometer, and bafiies affording communication between the container and the receptacle.

The invention comprises certain other novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter specified and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing :Figure 1 is a longitudinal, vertical, central section of an apparatus embodying the features of the present inventionf Fig. 2 is a similar View of the thermometer casing detached. Fig. 3 is an edge view of the shield for one of the vents and its supporting parts. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 10f the antiseptic container detached. Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the plane indicated by line 5 5 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing by numerals, 1 indicates a housing or case having a hinged cap or closure 2 engaged by a latch 3 for normally retaining the cap in its closed position. The case 1 is dividedby a partition 1 into two compartments, within one of which is arranged the antiseptic container 5, and.

in the other of whichis arranged the casing 6 for the clinical thermometer 7. The casing 6 is preferably merely an elongated tube of a size adapted to snugly receive a thermometer and the upper end of the casing is provi .ed with a threaded cap 8 for removal to enable introduction or withdrawal of the thermometer. Preferably substan tially midway of the length of the casing 6 a vent or opening 9 is formed for the admission of antiseptic fumes, the vent being surrounded by a short, tubular baffle 9. Suitable packing is preferably arranged within the casing 6 for retaining the thermometer 7 in place therein, with a surrounding space between the thermometer and the casing. The packing gasket 10 is arranged between the casing 6 and its respective compartment of the housing or case 1. The gasket 10 serves largely to prevent vibration from being transmitted from case 1 and also maintains the case 6 in position leaving a space surrounding thessame within the compartment. At a pointnear the upper portion of the partition 1 a vent 11 is provided which is surrounded by a short, tubular baffle 11, and is guarded by a shield or baffle 12 fixed to and pendent froma plug 13 which is arranged in the upper end portion of the compartment containing the receptacle 5. The receptacle 5 has its upper end closed by a cork or other stopper 14: on which rests a nut 15, the stopper 14 being centrally apertured and a sleeve '16 being threaded through the nut and extending, down through the stopper. The upper end of the sleeve 16 is formed with apertures 17 and a wick 18 eX- tends through the sleeve and depends into the receptacle 5. The lower portion of receptacle 5 is adapted to contain a quantity of formalin or other antiseptic material, and for facility of access both for supplying the antiseptic material to the container and for cleaning the container the lower end thereof is apertured and closed by a threaded plug 19. o

in operation, the thermometer 7 may be readily removed for-use merely by removing the cap 2 and 8 and withdrawing the thermometer. While the thermometer is in place, as indicated in Fig. 1, formaldehyde gas escaping from'the upper end of the wick 18 above the upper end of the sleeve 16 and through the aperture 17 passes out through the vent 11 about the casing 6 and in through. the vent 9 and surrounds the thermometer. If liquid formaldehyde is employed, the fumes thus delivered to the thermometer will be ample for insuring maintenance of an aseptic condition of the instrument. It will be observed that movements of the case 1 in course of use or while being carried by the user will aid in the diffusion and evaporation and thus insure an amplitude of antiseptic fumes about the thermometer. It will further be observed that by the employment of the series of successive baffle utilized in conjunction with the vents 11 and 9 nothing but the most ter and there is, therefore, no danger of formalin deposits on the thermometer of sufficient quantity to injure or affect thepatlent durmg use of the instrument.

The baflie 12 is obviously disposed to substantially surround the intake portion of vent 11 and is arranged between the vent and the free end of the wick 18 so that if by inversion or otherwise a drop of formalin should bedisc'harged from the Wick it will strike the baffle12 and be deflected thereby and thus prevented from entering the vent 11. I

' Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In an aseptic thermometer'holder, the combination of a case having a partition dividing the case into compartments, an antiseptic supply container within one compartment, means for capillary distribution of the antiseptic insaid compartment, the partition being formed with a vent affording communication between the compartments,

and a thermometer casing within the second compartment having a vent-communicating between the thermometer casing and the last mentioned compartment.

2. In an aseptic thermometer holder, the

combination of a case having a partition di viding the case into laterally adjacent compartments, the'partition being formed with.

a vent for intercommunication between the compartments, means for supplying anti-' and its respective compartment, the two vents being out of alinement, and means for supplying antiseptic fumes to the second compartment. i

Copies of this patent may be obtained forfive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

4. In an aseptic thermometer holder, the combination of a case havingcompartments, a thermometer receivingcasing disposed in one ofthe compartments, a vent being provided between the last'named compartment and a second compartment of the case, and a second vent being provided'affording communication between the thermometer casing and its respective compartment, the vents being spaced apart longitudinally of the case, and means for supplying antisepticfumesto the second compartment. v

- 5. In an aseptic thermometer holder, the combination of a case having compartments, a thermometer casing arranged in one of the compartments, means for sustaining the thermometer in said casing spaced from the walls of the casing for providing a space surrounding the thermometer, means in the respective compartment engaging the there mometer casing for sustaining the same surrounded by the space Within the respective I compartment, the thermometer casing being formed with a vent communicating from its interior with its respective compartment, and vents for supplying antiseptic fumes to the other compartment of the case, a vent being provided for affording communication between the last named compartment andthe thermometer receiving compartment. 7

6. In an asepticithermometer holder, the

combination of af case having compartments,

a thermometer being adapted to be disposed in one of the compartments, an antiseptic container being arranged in the other compartment, a wick extending from the container into the compartment for delivering thereto antiseptic fumes, a vent'being provided for affording communication between the compartments, and a baflie disposed between the wickan'd vent for guarding the vent against admission thereto of excess of discharge from the wick. 1

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES F. ,MYRE.

JOsEPI-I'P. I-IEBERT. Witnesses:

LOUIS 'J. FELIX,

J. HOWARD BROWNE.

Washington, D. G. 

